Five Fast Facts about the Hungarian Gran Prix

The Hungarian Grand Prix has become one of Formula 1's longest-standing races. When it joined the calendar in 1986, it was hailed as something of a coup, as it was the first race to take place behind what was then known as the Iron Curtain. Hungary had hosted a grand prix once before, back in 1936: won by Tazio Nuvolari in an Alfa Romeo around the Nepliget park in Budapest. Officials considered reviving that circuit to host Formula 1's arrival before constructing the purpose-built Hungaroring in Mogyorod, only around 20 kilometres from the centre of Budapest. The race has been run there every year since 1986. Once considered an exotic curiosity, the Hungaroring is now a Formula 1 staple.

The tight and twisty Hungaroring is one of the slowest permanent tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. It's often likened to an oversized go-kart track; or described as being like Monaco without the walls. Even though overtaking is extremely difficult, the layout has undergone very few changes since it was built: the biggest modifications were made in 2003, extending the length of the pit straight by around 200 metres to make it 908 metres long, and tightening the first corner to improve passing opportunities.

Taking place in July, historically as the final race before Formula 1's summer break, means that the Hungarian GP can often be a very hot affair. Track temperatures peaked at nearly 60 degrees during practice in 2022. But the warm weather can also bring rain clouds, and with that the potential for chaos: like in 2021, when many frontrunners were eliminated in contact at the first corner, opening the door for Esteban Ocon to score his maiden grand prix victory. Another fairytale result nearly materialised in 1997, when reigning champion came very close to winning in the unfancied Arrows.

Hungary has only ever had one Formula 1 driver: Zsolt Baumgartner. With a modest record of success in the lower formulae, Baumgartner was drafted in to make his F1 debut at his home circuit by the Jordan team in 2003 after Ralph Firman crashed heavily in practice. He drove at the next race at Monza too, and then got a full season with the Minardi team in 2004, even scoring a point in the United States GP. The lack of home heroes since doesn't mean that the race is poorly attended though, as it is very popular with fans from all around Europe, including Poland and Finland. The fiendish Hungarian language is even meant to be in some ways similar to Finnish – although it's hard to spot any resemblances at first glance.

One driver has a stronger record in Hungary than anyone else: Lewis Hamilton. He has won eight times around the Hungaroring, which is a joint record for the most victories in any Formula 1 race (along with Hamilton's eight British Grand Prix wins and Michael Schumacher's similar tally at the French GP). Hamilton is one of five former Hungaroring winners on the grid for the 2023 race, along with Ocon, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso (who took his first F1 win in Hungary 20 years ago) and Daniel Ricciardo, who returns to F1 at the scene of his 2014 win for Red Bull.